Behind every Golden Globe-nominated performance or directorial effort, there's a great writer. However, it is not just the screenwriters who make the Hollywood world go around. The public relations reps and the payroll departments (who sign the checks) deserve some credit, too. That's why it is only fitting that Pilot Pens' new affordable luxury line of fountain pens as well as their chic disposable models made for one of the best presentations among the sponsors. Behold, the GBK and Pilot Pen Luxury Gift Lounge” made its mark on the 2014 award season while getting the point across for Lambda Legal (www.lambdalegal.org, providing legal defense on behalf of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and those with HIV across the nation for 40 years) and Guard-A-Heart (www.guardaheart.org).
The other standout sponsor was Airweave (airweave.jp/en), which showcased its innovative line of mattress toppers from Japan fashioned from resin strings similar to what’s used in their fishing industry. The mattress is made by three-dimensionally entwining and heat-bonding thin polyethylene strings. The resulted structure gives the mattress superior air permeability.
While there were some familiar faces and product lines, like Sabra and Yoplait Greek Yogurt, there were some new fashion and beauty essentials in the mix worth writing home about. SAAS Hot Sauce rolled out bottles of its two flavors of savory, authentic, all-purpose, and spicy sauce winning over foodies nation wide. Rolf Bleu (www.rolfbleu.com) by Caryn Sterling has expanded her line of iPhone and cross body iPad covers to jewelry and whimsical message beanies, costume jewelry and other goodies.
Tweezerman (tweezerman.com) had some clever new grooming instruments, including a spring-y facial hair remover, cuticle cutter and adorable minis designed by Isaac Misrahi and for The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization, founded in 1997 by Jennifer Howell, encouraging actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. Spanx (www.spanx.com) was back with a new laser line that should remedy the problem of waistband roll-down that can undo the desired effect of shapewear.
Self-proclaimed "Heart-ist" and art glass Jewelry designer Hillel Rzepka has teamed up with sponsoring charity Guard-a-Heart to drive home the importance of regular check-ups, common sense health practices and preventative medicine to protect one's coronary health. The suite also provided a nice platform for GWEN (Global Woman's Empowerment Network) which offers women in need a variety of services, including (more details on the technology that allows endangered women to text for help and get it instantly thanks to GPS technology.
Speaking of technology, I was completely enthusiastic about Fluxmob (fluxmob.com), an ingenious little company that just plugged in to the scene with its BOLT, the world’s smallest battery pack and wall charger combination charger. This goodie allows you to charges at home when you charge your phone or tablet while charging the box itself, allowing you to energize your gadgets on the road in a pinch.
Though not plugged in or wired, some of the beauty essentials were also quite interesting. These included, Sleep-In Rollers (comfy hair rollers that are designed to flatten like a sponge) Minerva Research Labs' Pure GOLD COLLAGEN® (a liquid food supplement with hydrolyzed collagen and active ingredients essential for the production of collagen and skin’s hydration), Crave Collection's Embellash Eyelash Conditioner and Hands-Free Skin Brightener from The Crave Collection and Burke Williams Spa, offering their newest products along with massages.
Pink Diamond Jewelry by Fiamma (kamaschachter.com) dazzled, not only because of the gems' radiance against filigree designs in white and yellow gold, but its continued efforts to raise funds for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Representative Tigerlily Skye not only wore those sparklers well but also reminded guests of how the purchase of the line's pieces would benefit people beyond the wearer. Made By Survivors (www.madebysurvivors.com), an international nonprofit gifting silver and brass handmade jewelry made by survivors of human trafficking, made a similar impact with its modern, rustic designs.
The Artisan Group (www.theartisangroup.org) was back, and GBK would not be the same without their grab bags of creativity. My bag featured beautiful stationery from Angsana Seeds Photography and GeekGirly Photography, plus accessories from Jems by JB & Company, Jewelry by Andrea, Alison Lundahl Jewelry, Ruby White Tips nail enamel (in blingy bottles) and Maureen Connor of Meant 2B Cherished.
One cool feature of the event was the way the L'Ermitage Hotel's new V Wine Room was introduced to all the tastemakers in attendance. V Wine Room is the only dedicated tasting room in Los Angeles, proudly pouring limited production boutique California wines exclusively on their premises. This fabulousness against a backdrop of a 1930’s inspired library-speakeasy hybrid.
